GRID Alternatives San Diego Homeowner Spotlight

Submitted by Elyse Wood on Tue, 03/02/2010 - 1:43pm.

On February 16th and 17th, GRID Alternatives installed a 1.4 kilowatt PV system on Wayne Reed’s home in the City of San Diego. Mr. Reed, a retired high school teacher, is a volunteer who has given his time on 5 installations. He originally began working with GRID to learn more about solar as he was interested in getting solar for his home to protect against rising energy costs. Reed soon realized he qualified for GRID’s SASH Program. Mr. Reed was very helpful on the installation at his home, providing breakfast and lunch for our volunteers. His enthusiasm about getting solar was evident. On the day of the install he said, “I couldn’t sleep this week, I was so excited about this!”

GRID Alternatives was happy to provide Mr. Reed with a solar system and thanks him for his hard work and hospitality. Also, thank you to the volunteer team that made this installation possible. We could not do this work without you!

Check out photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/GRIDAlternatives/SanDiegoInstallFeb1617#

San Francisco Green Drinks Partners with GRID Alternatives!

Submitted by Tracie Troxler on Wed, 02/03/2010 - 11:08am.

Thank you so much to San Francisco Green Drinks! San Francisco Green Drinks (SFGD) is a volunteer-run,
non-profit organization that actively promotes green networking, education and volunteer events in the San Francisco Bay Area. They transformed their 2009 holiday party into a fundraiser for GRID Alternatives, using the donations to sponsor and install a solar electric systems for a low income homeowner in San Francisco. Volunteers from SFGD came out this last Saturday and Sunday to work alongside the homeowner to install a solar electric system. Thank you to all of the Green Drinks volunteers and to Aaron Gavic who coordinated the SFGD effort!

GRID Alternatives Finishes Habitat for Humanity's Orangewood Development in Escondido

Submitted by Elyse Wood on Tue, 01/26/2010 - 10:49am.

GRID Alternatives finished work at Habitat for Humanity's Orangewood Development in Escondido this past Saturday.  We installed 1.2 KW systems for 7 families to reduce their electric bills and cut greenhouse gas emissions.  In addition to using panels from local solar company Siliken Renewable Energies Inc for the first time, this was also our first time using the Clicksys racking system and the Emphase microinverter. Siliken, also a corporate sponsor, sent 9 hardworking employees to help with the installation on December 18th. The remainder of the install was done by our passionate volunteers who stayed committed despite multiple cancellations because of rainstorms. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped make this install possible. We couldn't do it without you!

GRID Installation Crew

Sempra Energy Foundation Salutes GRID Alternatives

Submitted by Tara Bush on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 12:03pm.

Sempra Energy Foundation salutes GRID Alternatives for its commitment to environmental stewardship. The Foundation has announced GRID as a 2009 Environmental Champion for its leadership role in making the San Diego community greener, cleaner, and more sustainable. For more information click here.

GRID Installs with Oakland Green Jobs Corps (Free Classes)

Submitted by Tara Bush on Tue, 01/19/2010 - 11:27am.

The Oakland Green Jobs Corps is recruiting now for classes beginning February 1st at Laney College. Students will receive career skills training in energy auditing, energy efficiency retrofitting, water conservation, and solar. Classes are all day, Monday-Friday for 6 months. The program is free and open to East Bay residents interested in a career in the green building sector. Graduates will work with their hands, solve problems, and contribute to building a healthier community and planet. Please visit the Oakland Green Jobs Corps website for additional information. Click here to complete the online application. Applications are due January 22nd.

GRID Alternatives Central Valley Teacher Install

Submitted by Matt Wilkes on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 1:11pm.

Tulare County teachers in Porterville install two solar electric systems in two days as TCOE COS Tech Prep Consortium. Tulare County teachers will take this hands-on experience back into the classroom and encourage students to come out for future Central Valley/Porterville installs.

http://www.recorderonline.com/articles/teachers-44005-panels-imelda.html

Thanks TCOE COS Tech Prep Consortium!!!

TCOE COS Tech Prep Consortium

"Solar Girl" Leah Pimentel Receives Jefferson Award for Helping Families Go Green For Free

Submitted by Van Shu on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 4:27pm.

Congratulations to Bay Area Outreach Coordinator Leah Pimentel who received the Bay Area Jefferson Award for her work helping senior citizens to go green. She was nominated by Espanola Jackson, a Bayview resident whose electric bill was reduced to $4 after having a solar electric system installed by GRID Alternatives. Leah's clients become like family to her and she's affectionately known as "solar girl." Leah says, "It's rewarding that I'm able to help homeowners on a very fixed income who often have to choose to pay (the) electricity bill, eat, or pay for medication." You can watch the video and read the full story at the CBS 5 website.

Friendraiser 2009!

Submitted by Van Shu on Mon, 12/21/2009 - 5:33pm.

Friendraiser 2009 was a smashing success! Thank you to all the volunteers, homeowners, and supporters who attended our annual volunteer appreciation party and for helping to make another year of low income solar installation possible!  Also, a big thank you to everyone who contributed to our raffle this year. There were many generous donations including a 3-day weekend at a Kirkwood Meadows condo, so congratulations to all the winners!  Have a wonderful holiday season and we are looking forward to working with you to bring solar to even more families in 2010!

Raffle Intro song

Gift a donation this holiday season through our Give GRID program

Submitted by Van Shu on Mon, 12/21/2009 - 5:03pm.

This holiday season consider making a donation to GRID Alternatives in honor of a friend or family member through our Give GRID program.  Gift recipients will receive a card informing them of your gift.  Proceeds will go toward our goal of installing 300 solar electric systems in 2010 for low-income families.  To learn more, please contact Van Shu at vshu@gridalternatives.org.  Happy Holidays!

Thank You to San Francisco Green Drinks!

Submitted by Tracie Troxler on Wed, 12/02/2009 - 12:06pm.

Many thanks to San Francisco Green Drinks for supporting GRID Alternatives! They recently hosted their holiday party at 111 Minna and donated the proceeds from the event to GRID Alternatives. Thank you to everyone who helped to put the evening together!

San Francisco Green Drinks (SFGD) is a volunteer-run, non-profit
organization that actively promotes green networking, education and
volunteer events in the San Francisco Bay Area. Click here for more information about how to get involved.

Thank you San Francisco Green Drinks!